Chairman of House Homeland Security panel to tour region

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee will tour the region's container port, petro-chemical plants and bridges and tunnels this morning with Rep. Albio Sires (D-13th Dist.) and state security officials to learn more about the region's most vulnerable facilities.

During the helicopter tour, Sires will show Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) "various sites in the district where federal homeland security funds should be focused,'' according to an advisory released by the Sires' office.

Thompson's committee has oversight over a myriad of post-9/11 issues facing the nation.